The Canadian Cosmetic Regulations, as amended in April 2024, provide for the labelling of an initial series of 24 allergens on product labels from 12 April 2026. Health Canada has just clarified the approach adopted to monitor compliance with this measure.
The Cosmetic Regulations were amended in April 2024 o, among other things, strengthen labelling requirements that will support consumers in identifying fragrance ingredients that they may be allergic to, sensitive to, or wish to avoid.
The provisions related to the disclosure of the first set of 24 fragrance allergens on cosmetic product labels (new or existing) were provided a two-year transition period, and will come into force on April 12, 2026.
Health Canada indicates that following the publication of the new regulations, it heard concerns from some companies and industry associations related to anticipated challenges with implementing these disclosure requirements in this timeframe.
“heard concerns from some companies and industry associations related to anticipated challenges with implementing these disclosure requirements in this timeframe,” the Agency says.
At the same time, however, a degree of flexibility has been announced:
• From April 12, 2026 to April 11, 2027, Health Canada will focus on compliance promotion with regulated parties
• From April 12, 2027 onwards, compliance and enforcement will follow a risk-based approach
To put it plainly, the industry has been granted a one-year “reprieve”, with the “compliance promotion with regulated partie” consisting of a number of measures …
